The Weekly Pickleball Report: Controversies, Questions, and Constant Changes
A deep dive into the latest pro pickleball drama, emerging stars, puzzling declines, and organizational mayhem.
The professional pickleball scene continues to offer no shortage of intrigue, controversy and rapid change. This week's NML Podcast episode covers it all - from paddle tech drama and unfair refereeing to rising talents and Major League Pickleball's nonstop fluctuations. Hosts Chris Ross and Jeremy Comazzetto provide their usual insightful analysis and debate around the pressing issues. Let's break it down in detail.
- Jilly B the Paddle Crusader (4:06)
The illegal paddle tech controversy arose again last weekend at the PPA championships in Las Vegas. Pickleball influencer and pro player Jill Braverman publicly called out competitor Irina Tereschenko for using a modified "hot" paddle that gave her an unfair advantage. Braverman and partner Tyra Black lost to Tereschenko and partner Jade Kawamoto. Another team, Lea Jansen and Anna Bright, also fell to Tereschenko/Kawamoto and challenged the paddle, which passed onsite testing both times.
However, Braverman insists the paddle seemed illegally souped up, playing abnormally fast with extra pop. She notes this isn't the first complaint against Tereschenko's decade-old PaddleTech model. Host Chris Ross confirms that Tereschenko's paddle was one of 24 that actually failed deflection testing at a recent Major League Pickleball (MLP) event, along with Anna Leigh Waters' paddle. The deflection issues likely indicate graphite face delamination.
Braverman is on a crusade, calling out the inconsistent standards between PPA and MLP testing procedures. She argues the organizations must establish true transparency around paddle regulations to eliminate unfair advantages. However, hosts Ross and Comazzetto explain the controversy highlights broader integrity issues facing the pro pickleball structure as it evolves. Favoritism for star players, dubious video reviews and organizations protecting certain paddle sponsors remain problematic. True legitimacy requires accountability, fairness and transparency.
- Are JW and Dylan Closing the Gap? (23:22)
In the marquee men's pro doubles final at PPA Vegas, underdogs JW Johnson and Dylan Frazier snatched an early 2-0 lead on dominant favorites Ben Johns and Collin Johns before the Johns brothers rallied for a 3-2 victory. The hotly contested match has many wondering if JW and Dylan are finally closing ground on the elite Johns Brothers.
Ross and Comazzetto break down the intriguing matchup. In the past, Ben and Colin solved rival teams over time by strategizing in-game adjustments. But with JW and Dylan, raw skill development seems necessary to fully close the gap. Areas to improve include JW initiating more aggressively and Dylan upgrading his dinking consistency. Superior athleticism and hands can only take you so far. True gains require putting in the work to expand skills like shot-making, finesse and tactics.
With youth on their side, JW and Dylan likely have room to grow. The hosts conclude it may take months or more to determine if the 2 can genuinely challenge the Johns juggernaut. For now, it remains advantage Johns Brothers. But the gambit by JW and Dylan in Vegas provides a blueprint for how future foes may someday solve the Johns riddle. Patience and practice will tell if these rising stars can complete the equation.
- Bad Video Review Calls? (27:21)
Questionable video review decisions in the PPA men's final cast controversy around referee impartiality. On multiple close line calls, the replay system seemingly upheld incorrect calls favoring the Johns Brothers over challengers JW and Dylan.
The first review went against JW/Dylan on clear evidence, awarding Ben/Colin a pivotal point en route to winning game four. Ironically, the next review - with similar video proof - benefited JW/Dylan to even the match. Ross and Comazzetto debate whether home cooking biased the referees towards the fan-favorite Johns Brothers in critical moments. Or did they simply make back-to-back incompetent judgment errors?
While stars like the Johns may receive favorable treatment, using video review to validate wrong calls damages integrity - especially with a title on the line. The hosts conclude transparency around player/sponsor relations and stringent referee accountability is imperative as pickleball aspires for mainstream legitimacy. When any perception of impropriety exists, it invites speculation and mistrust. Developing robust professional standards remains a work in progress across the board.
- Why is Anna Bright Struggling? (30:53)
Once an ascendant force in women's doubles, Anna Bright has surprisingly struggled mightily. She and Lea Jansen bombed out of the PPA Vegas event with a stunning upset loss to Irena Tereschenko and Jade Kawamoto. Bright earned much of the blame, spraying errors in a totally uncharacteristic performance.
The perplexing decline presents a real head-scratcher, admits Ross. After consistent gold medals with Anna Leigh Waters this year, Bright seemed poised to become an elite tier player. But she has posted pedestrian results since bouncing around with various partners.
Comazzetto wonders if the partnership inconsistency has stunted Bright's development. Frequent partner changes mid-season disrupt timing and chemistry. Most top teams commit together for the long haul, fine-tuning instincts through months of reps. Perhaps the struggles also stem from mentality - losing confidence from mounting losses or stress from off-court issues. Whatever the reasons, Anna Bright remains a riddle wrapped in mystery. Her promising ascent has quickly transformed into a slump.
- Tweener King Impresses (34:30)
Christian Alshon delivered a breakout showing in mixed doubles at the PPA Vegas Championships. Teamed with Tyra Black, the duo flashed immense potential beating top opponents Jesse Irvine and Riley Newman before falling in 3 sets in the bronze medal match.
Hosts Ross and Comazzetto came away highly impressed by Alshon's performance. Beyond the junior phenom's signature tweeners and athletic shot-making flair, he displayed advanced skills including counter attacking, consistency and court coverage. Alshon strategically used more two-handed volleys instead of flashy one-handed punches when pulled wide. He also limited errors, patiently keeping balls in play with defense until opportunities arose.
The pair's rapid improvement supports projections of a possible future tier 1 mixed doubles team. Alshon clearly works hard to complement his agility and power with tactics. As his decision-making and skills progress in areas like dinking and transition play, stardom appears on the horizon. Taming his highlight reel tendencies with sound fundamentals points the 23-year old towards a bright future.
- Players Should Compete In More Singles (39:38)
With professional events now limited to doubles and mixed doubles draws, Ross questions why elite players like Tyra Black, James Ignatowich and others abstain from entering singles tournaments. He argues they miss opportunities to hone skills, stay sharp and build their personal brands by avoiding singles play.
Comazzetto pushes back, speculating that for former tennis stars like Black, the singles grind feels monotonous. Doubles provides more fun team camaraderie. They view singles as an individual chore rather than opportunity. For mid-tier players, singles present risk outside their comfort zones. They focus on doubles consistency rather than developing well-rounded games.
Ultimately both agree pro players sitting out singles remains detrimental. The hosts concur pros should force themselves out of complacency to enter singles draws. Given their lofty paychecks, top players especially must take accountability as professionals and commit to comprehensive training. Maintaining sharp reflexes and technical diversity through singles play is vital, regardless of competitive drive. Fair pay warrants a fair effort to maximize potential through diversified competition.
- APP Dallas Open Recap (45:35)
The hosts recap action from the APP Dallas Open. Megan Fudge impressively notched a bronze medal in mixed doubles with partner Kaden Seward. Parris Todd and Hunter Johnson knocked off top mixed seeds Andrei Daescu and Susannah Barr. Todd and partner Simone Jardim struggled, however, perhaps indicating Jardim's injury issues have impacted the team.
Other notables include women's singles winner Megan Fudge holding off Salome Devidze in the final after Devidze's marathon singles run all week. On the men's side, dark horse Chris Haworth scored big upsets to reach the finals before Hunter Johnson ended his run. The APP events continue to produce unpredictable results and new faces, showcasing pickleball's remarkable growth. Even as the game's hierarchy solidifies, fresh stars still emerge.
- MLP's Constant Changes (50:03)
Ross and Comazzetto express frustration around Major League Pickleball's erratic strategic shifts and communication. After relocating their upcoming Atlanta event just weeks before the scheduled dates, MLP plans to only stage Premier division tournaments in 2023 - scrapping the initial Challenger league concept they devised. Many fans invested time and money into attending the Atlanta event based on its original location.
Such wild deviations damage credibility and alienate fans, who reward stability and transparency. Between the whiplash relocations, rule changes and overhaul of competition tiers, MLP risks becoming irrelevant if they don't nail down concrete plans. With media deals in place and wealthy backers on board, critics question the unsteady trajectory. pickleball deserves pro tennis-level organization to thrive.
Constant shuffling of rosters, formats and branding equates to bush league gimmicks. MLP must balance their innovative vision with practical execution and communication. Less surprises, more structure. Host Comazzetto stresses that to gain his viewership and financial investment, MLP needs organizational rigor and transparency. Otherwise fan interest will plateau. Bold ideas require disciplined follow-through.
- Challenger Shuffle Draft (1:01:00)
The MLP Challenger division teams recently conducted their mid-season "Shuffle Draft" to exchange players. Ross and Comazzetto examine the roster shakeups and new squad compositions within the lower tier.
Florida Smash swapped in Mariana Humberg for Dominique Schaefer. Milwaukee Mashers dropped Pesa Teoni and added veterans Callan Dawson. New York Hustlers replaced Sarah Ansboury with Kelsey Grambeau for an athletic upgrade. California BLQK Bears took a flyer on Erik Pailet in place of Marshall Brown.
The Mad Drops look dangerous after securing elite Allison Harris and placed Olivia McMillan on waivers. If former pro Sierra Gaston-Leach regains top form post-pregnancy, their reloaded squad could conquer the Challenger league. Other teams opted for measured tweaks, although the Mashers' changes seeming counter intuitive. Despite a free agency period, teams generally added unproven prospects over established players. Whether shuffling role players or overhauling rosters, the Challenger squads seized their last chance to reposition themselves for title runs this year.
Summary
From paddle controversies to video review blunders, upstart teenagers to struggling stars, Major League Pickleball chaos to Challenger draft analysis, hosts Chris Ross and Jeremy Comazzetto cover it all. The wise and witty podcast duo continue shining light on the good, bad and ugly advancing professional pickleball. Despite growing legitimacy, clear progress remains to establish fairness, transparency and organizational stability as the pro game evolves. But one thing is certain - as long as pickleball pulsates with this much passion, fans and pundits will never suffer a shortage of topics to unpack.
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